Picture frame

ABSTRACT

An integral frame and mailer formed from a single blank is disclosed. The blank includes a frame having a frame front panel joined to a frame rear panel along a fold line. The frame rear panels includes easel forming cuts and has glue flaps foldably joined to opposite sides of the rear panel. The glue flaps define locator strips when folded and joined to both the front and rear panels. The locator strips each present an edge that abuts edge-to-edge with an adjacent edge of a photograph inserted into the frame for locating the photograph side-to-side relative to the viewing aperture of the frame. The frame rear panel is foldably connected to a mailer including front and rear mailer panels that wrap around both the frame front and rear to fully enclose and sandwich both the front and rear of the frame for mailing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to mailers and picture frames, and morespecifically, to a combined mailer and picture frame including means tolocate an image relative to the viewing aperture of the frame. Theinvention also relates to a mailer and picture frame combination thatcan withstand shipping and mailing and provide a separable frame havingan aesthetically pleasing appearance.

2. Description of Related Art

People often want to send photographs through the mail, whether it be tofamily members, friends, or others. However, there are problems withsending photographs through the mail.

Most envelopes are too soft to be used to protect photographs duringtransit. Unlike letters, a photograph cannot be creased or bent withoutpermanent damage to the photograph.

Alternatively, one may frame the picture before mailing it. While theframe will protect the picture during mailing, it will greatly increasethe cost of mailing the photograph.

To alleviate this problem, special envelopes have been developed formailing pictures such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,957issued Apr. 21, 1998. However, one problem with the frame and mailerdisclosed therein is that the easels are exposed during the shippingprocess. It is possible that they would catch on some other item in themail and rip or tear away. This could not only cause problems for theend receiver, but could cause problems for the U.S. Post Office. If theeasels were to be pulled into an extended position during shipping, themailer may jam the sorting machinery that the post office uses.

The frame portion of the mailer generally is formed by superimposing afront panel having a picture view aperture over a rear panel andconnecting the two panels along three sides. The fourth side is leftopen to accommodate the insertion of a photograph into the space betweenthe two panels such that the image in the photograph shows thorough theviewing aperture.

However, if the photograph is too small relative to the frame, it mayslide side-to-side or end-to-end in the frame so that the alignment ofthe photograph in the aperture is an issue. In an extreme case thephotograph can move within the frame so much so that an edge of thephotograph shows in the aperture and a portion of the image at anopposite side of the photograph becomes hidden beneath the front panel.

Accordingly, it also is desirable to provide a combined picture frameand mailer wherein the picture is accommodated in a manner that theimage is properly aligned within the viewing aperture and the photographis precluded from shifting within the fame.

Therefore, a need exists for a combined picture frame and mailer thatproperly orients the photographic image relative to the viewing apertureof the frame and which maintains this orientation during shipping andsubsequent set up of the frame. The combination frame and mailer alsoshould be able to withstand the postal process, and provide anattractive separable frame. The need also exists for a combined pictureframe and mailer that reduces complications in the mailing process. Itis also desirable to produce a combined picture frame and mailer that iseasier to manufacture than current combined picture frame and envelopes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention provides a combined picture frame andmailer having means to align the photographic image in the viewingaperture as the photograph is inserted into the frame. Once inserted,the photograph is maintained in its proper alignment so as to preventboth the end-to-end and side-to-side shifting of the photograph in theframe. The invention allows a person to insert a photograph or pictureinto a frame, wherein locator strips within the frame guide theinsertion so the viewable image of the picture is properly locatedwithin the viewing aperture of the frame. The locator strips furthermoremaintain the proper orientation of the picture during shipping andsubsequent viewing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a blank dividedinto a series of panels. A first panel is a frame front panel. The framefront panel has a viewing aperture through which a photograph is viewed.A second panel is a frame rear panel and is connected to the frame frontpanel along a first fold line. The frame rear panel can include easelsthat may be folded outward from the panel. The easels allow the frame tobe stood upright when the frame portion is detached from the mailerportion.

To form the frame the front panel is folded over the rear panel suchthat the first fold line defines one closed end of the frame. The framefront panel then is sealed to the rear panel along the two parallelopposite sides that run perpendicular to the first fold line. The end ofthe frame opposite the first fold line is left unsealed to provide anaccess opening for the insertion of a photograph between the front andrear panels.

Sealing of the front panel to the rear panel along the two parallelopposite sides is accomplished using two glue flaps that are connectedto the rear panel along fold lines that define the opposite sides of therear panel extending perpendicular to the first fold line. The glueflaps are first folded over the rear panel and a face of the glue flapis sealed to the rear panel. The front panel then is folded over therear panel and sealed to the opposite face of the glue panel. Thislocates the glue panel between the front and rear panels along theopposite sides of the frame that run perpendicular to the open end.

The glue flaps in the folded position each have an inboard edge thattogether define parallel guides engageable with the opposite side edgesof a photograph inserted into the frame open end. The distance betweenthe inboard edges of the glue panels is just sufficient to accommodatethe width of a picture of a given size therebetween. Accordingly theglue flaps comprise locator strips that engage the opposite side edgesof a photograph in an edge-to-edge relationship to locate and maintain aside-to-side orientation of the photograph relative to the frame. Thisproperly orients and locates the photographic image side-to-side in theviewing aperture.

The glue flaps each have an extension that extends inward one towardsthe other. These extensions are glued in a similar manner to each of thefront and rear panels. Each of the extensions has an edge portion facingthe open end of the frame. These extension edge portions are engageablewith a leading edge of a photograph inserted through the open end of theframe. The distance from the open end of the frame to each of theextension edge portions is sufficient to properly locate the image of aphotograph of a given size within the aperture when the picture leadingedge is butted edge-to-edge against the extension edges.

A third panel forming a mailer rear panel is connected to the frame rearpanel along a second fold line. A fourth panel forming a mailer frontpanel is foldably connected to the mailer rear panel along a third foldline. A closure flap is foldably connected to the fourth panel along aclosure fold line. The closure flap can include an adhesive.

The frame may be folded over to overlay the frame front panel againstthe mailer rear panel. The frame and mailer rear panel may then befolded to overlay the frame rear panel against the mailer front panel,thereby protecting both the front and the rear frame panels.

The blank includes a separation line intermediate the first fold lineand the second fold line to be proximal to the second fold line andlocated so that the mailer can be detached from the frame along theseparation line. The separation line is located within the footprint ofthe periphery of the frame front.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed below properly positions andmaintains a photograph of a given size relative to the image-viewingaperture of the frame so there is no shifting of the photograph relativeto the viewing aperture during mailing. It also protects both thephotograph exposed through the viewing aperture in the front panel andthe easels cut into the frame rear panel. The projected markets forthese combined picture frame and envelopes include retail sales totourists and special order sales to businesses. The tourist consumercould write greeting information on the inside. The corporate clientcould include promotional information to clients, employees, or others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank for making the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the blank showing the first step information of the frame;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing partial enclosure of the frame in themailer;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing an unsealed folded mailer;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a folded and sealed mailer;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a folded and sealed mailer;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view partly broken away showing the partialinsertion of a photograph into the frame;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 7, showing the photographseated in the frame; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a combined picture frame 4 and mailer 6 is formedfrom a blank generally indicated at 10. The blank 10 includes a firstpanel 20, a first fold line 12, a second panel 24, a separation line 30,a second fold line 14, a third panel 28, a third fold line 16, a fourthpanel 32, a closure fold line 18 and a closure flap 36. The blank 10 canbe formed of a variety of materials including, but not limited to paperboard, press board, board, composite, laminates, plastic, or corrugatedcardboard.

The fold lines 12, 14, 16 and 18 are shown parallel one to the other andare located so that the panels can be folded one over another to assumean overlapping coplanar configuration. The term fold line refers tolines or creases that allow adjacent panels to fold or bend about anaxis lying on the fold line. In a preferred embodiment, the blank 10 iscreased so that the fold lines all bend in the same direction.

The first panel 20 forms the front of the frame and is referred to asframe front panel. An aperture 22 is cut from the frame front panel 20and forms a window for viewing a photograph or picture subsequentlyplaced within the frame 4. A clear plastic or film pane may be placedover the aperture 22; however, the frame 4 can be employed without thepane. The aperture 22 could be any of a variety of shapes. Examples ofother shapes include ovals, circles, ellipses and heart-shapedapertures.

The second panel 24 forms the rear of the frame and is referred to asthe frame rear panel. The frame rear panel 24 is connected to the framefront panel 20 along the first fold line 12. The frame rear panel 24includes easel forming cuts 26 and corresponding access apertures. Theframe rear panel 24 thus provides for the formation of easel members(represented by easel cuts 26) to orient the frame in an uprightfreestanding position.

The frame rear panel further includes a generally L-shaped glue flap 5foldably attached to the rear panel wherein the fold lines 7 define theopposite side edges of the rear panel. The glue flaps extend generallyperpendicular to the fold line 12 and the short leg or extension 8 ofeach L-shaped flap lies adjacent the fold line 12 and extends outwardand away from the fold lines 7. The edges 9 of the glue flaps extendparallel to the fold lines 7 (rear panel side edges). The edges 11 ofthe glue flap extensions 8 are collinear one to the other and areparallel to the fold line 12 for purposes set out hereinbelow.

A first surface, or side of the blank 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Thus, asecond surface, or side of the blank 10 is not visible in FIG. 1.Accordingly, the frame 4 is formed by folding the glue flaps 5 so thefirst surface of each glue flap is adhered flush against the firstsurface of the rear panel 24 as shown in FIG. 2 (the second or reversesurface of the glue flaps showing in FIG. 2).

The frame front panel 20 then is folded along the first fold line 12 asshown by the arrow 13 to lay the first surface of the frame front panelover the frame rear panel 24. The first surface of the front panel isadhered flush against the second surface of the glue flaps. In thisfashion the frame front panel 20 and frame rear panel 24 are bonded toopposite surfaces of the glue flaps 5.

After folding, the edges 9 of the glue flaps will define inboard facingedges that are parallel and spaced from the adjacent edges of theviewing aperture 22. For purposes of the present invention it isimportant that the distance “X” between the inboard facing edges 9 issubstantially equal to or at most slightly greater than the length of agiven size photograph or picture. Consequently, the distance “X” isgreater than the length of the viewing area defined by the viewingaperture 22.

In a similar fashion, the size of the glue flap extensions 8 are suchthat in the folded position shown in FIG. 2, the edges 11 of the glueflap extensions are located a known distance from the fold line 14representing the open end of the frame. In particular, the edges 11preferably are the located about as far from the adjacent edge of theaperture 22 as the opposite edge of the aperture is from the fold line14.

While not shown, both surfaces of the glue flaps can be coated with anadhesive and include a strip covering the adhesive that is selectivelyremoved to expose the adhesive for forming the frame. While alternateadhesive arrangements are possible, it is important for the presentinvention that substantially the entire first and second surfaces of theglue flaps be adhered respectively to the first surface of the rear andfront panels 20, 24.

The sealing by the glue flaps along the two opposite sides of the frame(represented by fold lines 7) combined with the closed end at the foldline 12, leaves the end of the frame opposite the fold line 12 open.Also, since the front and rear panels 20, 24 are adhered to oppositesurfaces of the glue flaps 5, a thin channel 15 is formed as shown inFIG. 9 that is as thick as the glue flaps 5. With the frame 4 beingassembled in this fashion, a photograph 40 of a given size may beinserted through the open end of the frame and into the channel 15 asshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows the photograph 40 being inserted into the thin channelbetween the front and rear panels 20, 24. In this respect, FIG. 4 showsthat the end 17 of each glue flap adjacent the frame open end istapered. This facilitates guiding a leading edge 19 of the photographinto the thin channel 15. Moreover, the width of the channel (as definedby the distance between the opposed inboard edges 9 of the glue strips)is about equal to the length of the photograph of the given size.

As the photograph is inserted, the opposite side edges of the photographslidably engage edge-to-edge against the opposed inboard edges 9 of glueflaps 5. In this fashion the glue flaps comprise guides and locatorsthat engage the opposite side edges of the photograph first to guide thephotograph into the channel 15 and then to properly locate thephotograph relative to the viewing aperture 22. Moreover, theedge-to-edge abutment of the photograph side edges and the glue flapedges 9 prevents any side-to-side movement of the photograph relative tothe viewing aperture. Accordingly, the glue strips comprise locatorstrips that not only locate the photograph relative to the aperture butalso maintain the side-to-side position of the photograph.

The insertion of the photograph continues until the leading end 19 ofthe photograph abuts the glue flap extension edges 11 as shown in FIG.8. Given the location of the edges 11 relative to the frame open end,the abutment of the photograph leading edge against the extension edges11 properly locates the photograph endwise relative to the viewingaperture. Accordingly, the locating function provided by the glue flapseffectively locates the photograph side-to-side and endwise relative tothe viewing aperture 22 and maintains this location during subsequentmailing and viewing of the photograph in the frame.

Although the viewing aperture 22 is shown as rectangular, the aperturecan have a variety of configurations such as oval, round or even anirregular shape. It is sufficient for purposes of the present inventiononly that the glue flaps be as described and to properly locate andmaintain the position of the photograph relative to the viewing apertureso that a desirable portion of the image on the photograph is maintainedin the viewing aperture.

The frame rear panel 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a separationline 30 intermediate the first fold line 12 and the second fold line 14,and located proximal to the second fold line. Upon the front frame panel20 overlaying the rear frame panel 24 as described above, the separationline 30 is within the periphery of the front frame panel. The separationline 30 provides a line of weakness in the blank 10, which is weakerthan the fold lines.

The separation line 30 can be a perforation line where the blank 10 issufficiently weakened to allow the material to separate easily. Theseparation line 30 allows the frame 4, including frame front panel andframe rear panel (20,24) to be detached from the mailer 6 (panels 28,32). After the frame 4 is formed, the separation line 30 is locatedwithin the footprint of the periphery of the frame front panel 20, sothat an edge formed by the separation line 30 is not visible to a viewerof a picture in the frame 4. The separation line 30 does not have to beperforated, but may be any line where the material has been weakened toallow separation of the panels along the separation line 30 prior to anyseparation along a fold line.

The third panel 28 forms a mailer rear panel and is foldably connectedto the frame rear panel 24 along the second fold line 14. Preferably,the mailer rear panel 28 is a contiguous uninterrupted panel. That is,the mailer rear panel 28 is free of cuts, perforations or apertures. Thefourth panel 32 is a mailer front panel and is connected to the mailerrear panel 28 along the third fold line 16. The first side of both themailer panels 28, 32 can contain areas for writing or pasting a messageor other information. The second side of the front mailer panel caninclude a mailing label as seen in FIG. 6.

The closure flap 36 is connected to the mailer front panel 32 alongclosure fold line 18. An adhesive strip or seal 34 is formed on theclosure flap 36 so that the flap will bond to the second side of themailer rear panel 28 when the mailer is prepared for mailing. Thepreferred embodiment includes a peel and seal type strip.

The closure flap 36 further includes a zip strip 38 is located betweenclosure fold line 18 and the adhesive strip 34. The zip strip allows themailer 6 to be unfolded without damaging the retained photograph.Alternatively, the closure flap 36 can include a tear strip, tear lineor tear lines for breaking the closure flap. That is, the closure flap36 is sacrificed to open the sealed mailer.

To prepare the present invention for mailing, a user inserts a pictureinto the open end of the frame and into the thin channel 15 between thefront and rear frame panels 20, 24 as described above. The frame 4 canthen be folded over onto the rear mailer panel 28 to locate the secondsurface of the frame front panel flush against the first surface of thefirst mailing panel 28.

In particular, FIG. 3 shows the frame 4 folded along the fold line 14 sothe frame front panel 20 overlays and is flush against the mailer rearpanel 28. At this point the rear panel 24 and the easel cuts 26 arestill exposed. To protect the easel cuts, the frame 4 and the mailerrear panel 28 can then be folded over the fold line 16 and onto themailer front panel 32 as shown on FIG. 4. In this fashion, the front andthe rear frame panels 20, 24 are sandwiched between and are accordinglyprotected by the mailer front and rear panels. That is, the panels forma stack where the panels are superimposed one on another, the stackhaving in order, the mailer front panel 32, frame rear panel 24, framefront panel 20 and the mailer rear panel 28.

Finally, the closure flap 36 is folded over and sealed to the secondside of the mailer rear panel 28 as shown in FIG. 5.

The recipient of the mailer can open the mailer by pulling the zip strip38. The mailer 6 can be unfolded along the second and third fold lines14, 15. The recipient can then read or access any material attached tothe first side of the mailer front and rear panels 20, 24. The frame 4is detached from the mailer along the separation line 30, with the newlyformed edge being behind, hidden by the frame front panel 20. The easelsare extended from the easel cuts 26 so the framed picture becomesself-supporting on a table or mantel.

For purposes of manufacturing the combination frame and mailer of thepresent invention, printing, foil stamping, die-cut shapes and embossingcan be provided on either side of the panels. In a preferred embodimentthe second side of the frame front panel 20 is foil-stamped.

The blank 10 is cut from a sheet of desired material. One method ofaccomplishing this is by die-cutting. The aperture 22 is also created inthe first panel 20. Preferably these methods leave relatively smoothborders that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. That is, the edgesare free of scallops or shards. In addition, the easel cuts 26 andassociated apertures can be similarly formed in the frame rear panel 24.

After the blank 10 is completely cut, it may be folded and glued in asingle one pass through an assembly line. That is, each of themanufacturing processes are applied to a single side of the blank 10.Thus, the blank 10 can be converted to the configuration of FIGS. 2through 5 without having the blank flipped or inverted.

Rather than applying adhesive and cover strips to both sides of the glueflaps as described hereinabove, an adhesive may be applied only to thefirst surface of the glue flaps shown in FIG. 1. After the glue flapsare folded over and adhered to the rear panel 24 and adhesive can beapplied to the reverse surface of the glue flaps and the frame frontpanel 20 can be automatically folded over onto the frame rear panel 24,where adhesive on the glue flaps bond the panels together. Typically,the product can be shipped to retail distribution or consumers in thisconfiguration.

The present construction can be used with any relatively thin substratesuch as photographs. However, drawings and sketches, invitations, orawards can be employed with the combined frame and mailer.

The combined frame and mailer provides an integral one piece frame andmailer, wherein a photograph can be retained and located within theframe. Text, messages or inserts can be connected to the mailer, and theintegral mailer can then be folded and sealed about the frame 4 toprotect the front and rear of the frame during the transportationprocess. As the front and mailer panels have a foot print at least aslarge as the front frame and rear frame panels, the frame is protected.The sealed device can be readily opened by severing the closure flapwithout damaging the mailer or the frame. Subsequently, the mailer canbe separated from the frame along an effectively hidden separation line.

Further protection of the frame during mailing can be provided by addingretainer flaps (not shown) along the edges of the mailer rear panel 28.After the frame 4 is folded over the mailer rear panel as describedabove, these retainer flaps are folded so as to overlay the side edgeportions of the frame rear panel. Now, when the frame 4 and mailer rearpanel is folded over the mailer front panel 32, the retainer flaps willbe captured therebetween to provide a more secure package for mailing.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed with particularity, it will be appreciated that variouschanges and modifications may suggest themselves to one having ordinaryskill in the art upon being apprised of the present invention. It isintended to encompass all such changes and modifications as fall withinthe scope and spirit of the appended claims.

1. An integral frame and mailer comprising; a) generally rectangularframe front and rear panels connected along three sides with a fourthside open to provide an entry for the insertion of a photograph betweenthe frame front and rear panels, the front panel having a photographviewing aperture; b) a pair of locator strips between the front and rearpanels, the locator strips disposed along each of two opposite sides ofthe frame extending perpendicular to the open side with both the framefront and rear panels being adhered respectively to opposite surfaces ofeach strip; c) the locator strips having parallel inboard edges thatdefine a photograph receiving space therebetween, the inboard edgescomprising guides slidably engageable edge-to-edge with opposite sideedges of a photograph inserted through the entry and into the space soas to provide side-to-side positioning of the photograph relative to theviewing aperture; and d) a first mailer panel foldably connected to theframe rear panel along a first fold line for folding to a positionsuperimposed over the frame front panel.
 2. An integral frame and maileras in claim 1 wherein each locator strip is generally L-shaped with theshort leg of the L-shape extending generally parallel to the frame entryand an edge of each short leg being engageable edge-to-edge with aleading edge of a photograph inserted into the frame to provideend-to-end positioning of the photograph relative to the viewingaperture.
 3. An integral frame and mailer as in claim 1 wherein the endportion of each locator strip adjacent the entry is tapered outwardtowards an adjacent frame side to facilitate the insertion of aphotograph into the space between the inboard edges of the locatorstrips.
 4. An integral frame and mailer as in claim 1 wherein thelocator strips are formed by glue flaps foldably connected to oppositesides edges of the frame rear panel and are folded inward over the framerear panel to locate the glue flaps between the frame front and rearpanels.
 5. An integral frame and mailer as in claim 1 wherein the framerear panel includes a separation line adjacent the first fold line, theseparation line and first fold line being parallel.
 6. An integral frameand mailer as in claim 1 including a second mailer panel connected tothe first mailer panel along a second fold line parallel to the firstfold line the first and second mailer panels being foldable over theframe front and rear panels respectively to sandwich the frame panelstherebetween.
 7. An integral frame and mailer as in claim 1 wherein thethickness of each locator strip is substantially equal to the photographthickness.
 8. An integral frame and mailer as in claim 6 including aclosure flap connected along a third fold line to the second mailerpanel and the third fold line being parallel to the first and secondfold lines.
 9. A blank for forming a combined picture frame and mailercomprising: a) a frame front panel having an photograph viewing aperturetherein; b) a frame rear panel connected to the frame front panel alonga first fold line; c) a mailer rear panel connected to the frame rearpanel along a second fold line; and d) locator strips foldably connectedto opposite side edges of the frame rear panel that are perpendicular tothe first fold line, each locator strip having an outboard edge thatextends parallel to the opposite side edges of the frame rear panel andthe outboard edges upon the folding of the strips over the frame rearpanel defining photograph engaging guides that slidably engageedge-to-edge with side edges of the photograph.
 10. A blank for forminga combined picture frame and mailer as in claim 9 wherein each of thelocator strips is generally L-shaped wherein the short leg of theL-shape is adjacent the first fold lie and extends outward from the sideedge of the frame rear panel, each of the short legs having an edge thatextends parallel with the second fold line.
 11. A blank for forming acombined picture frame and mailer as in claim 9 including a secondmailer panel connected to the first mailer panel along a third foldline, the first, second and third fold lines being parallel.
 12. Amethod of preparing a picture for mailing comprising: a) forming a framehaving three closed sides and an open side by i) folding glue flaps overopposite side edges of a frame rear panel, the glue flaps each having aninboard edge that is parallel to the frame side edges, ii) adhering asurface of the glue panels to side edge portions of the frame rearpanel, iii) folding a frame front panel having a viewing aperture overthe rear panel and adhering side edge portions of the front panel to areverse surface of the glue flaps leaving the side opposite the foldopen for the insertion of a photograph; b) inserting a photographthrough the open side of the frame and into a space between the framefront panel and the frame rear panel and slidably engaging opposite sideedges of the photograph edge-to-edge against adjacent parallel inboardedges of the glue flaps; c) the sliding edge-to-edge engagement actingto locate the photograph side-to-side relative to the viewing aperture;d) folding a first mailer panel connected to the frame rear panel at theopen end over the front panel; and e) effecting a seal to maintain themailer panel disposed over the frame front panel for mailing.
 13. Amethod as in claim 12 wherein the glue flaps are generally L-shaped andthe short leg of each glue flap has an edge equally spaced from andgenerally parallel to the open side of the frame, and inserting of thephotograph into the frame continues until a leading edge of thephotograph contacts edge-to-edge the short leg edge of the glue flaps14. A method as in claim 12 comprising: a) folding a second mailer panelconnected to the first mailer panel over the frame rear panel; and b)folding a closure flap connected to the second mailer panel over thefirst mailer panel and the step of effecting a sealing comprises sealingthe closure panel to the first mailer panel.